Following is the press report of our demonstration at BlueFest. It would seem that MFSO-Chicago and the Peace Partners friends aquired a mole!
Must mean we are important or something.
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Group protests 'stay-the-course'
By Frank Abderholden fabderholden@scn1.com
MUNDELEIN — "I'm an equal opportunity protester," said Marge Haracz, a member of Military Families Speak Out.
The Mundelein resident was at a Democratic Party event Sunday called Blue Fest Rally For Democracy and she was targeting U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean, D-Barrington.
"I'm amazed with the stay-the-course mentality," said Haracz, whose son Ray, 21, is serving in Afghanistan. Her husband, Jay, handed Bean 48 carnations before the congresswoman left for another engagement.
Each carnation, half yellow and half white, represented a soldier from Illinois who has died in Iraq or Afghanistan.
"She was going to place them in some memorial park," said Jay.
Brian Herman, Bean's communications director, said the congresswoman dropped the flowers off at the Mundelein veteran's memorial at Route 176 and Hawley Street. The flowers were still there later Sunday.
Herman said Haracz, who has protested the war in front of the White House, also has criticized Bean over a procedural vote on how long a debate can last in the House of Representatives. On that issue, Bean voted with a majority of both Democrats and Republicans, he said.
"She doesn't support a timetable or the immediate withdrawal (of troops)," Herman said of Bean. She supports holding the administration accountable for training and the deployment of Iraqi security forces that will be needed "before we withdraw our troops," he said.
Haracz was not the only member of Military Families Speak Out at Sunday's rally.
Carolyn Quinn has a son, Collin, 24, in the Navy working inside a nuclear submarine somewhere in Middle East waters.
"That's all I get to know," said the Crystal Lake woman. But she says she supports Bean's re-election. Quinn said the MFSO has a motto: Bring them home now and take care of them when they get here.
"I want my son to be home now and I want Melissa Bean back in Washington come November," she said. "And I want Melissa Bean bolstered by a Democratic majority when she returns to Capitol Hill."
A number of Democratic candidates and officials spoke at Blue Fest, including U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Evanston, who voiced her support for Bean's re-election.
"I'm proud to be here and support Melissa Bean. We need 15 seats," she said, referring to the number of congressional seats Democrats need to have a majority. In her remarks she also blasted the Bush administration and Republicans saying that 67 percent of the country thinks there needs to be a new direction in Washington.
"The world is on fire and people are suffering," she said. "Democrats are on the rise. People regardless of party are fed up and you activists are going to be leading the way," she said to an ovation from the nearly 100 people gathered at the Diamond Lake Slough Park off Route 60/83.
08/28/06
______________________________________
We realized that the "Party People" were upset about the demonstration...but we think their problem should be with Congresswoman Bean and her failure to act to stop the dying in Iraq.
And can we all choke on that bit about "holding the administration accountable?" Thousands of lives lost and billions of dollars missing: Mr. Herman - get real!
When it counts, Bean fails to show up and be counted just like she has for her entire term on the subject of Iraq and real support for our troops. The peace people show up...shoot we visited the "Party People" all afternoon kind of like a nagging conscience.
And a mole...geez aren't we special?
Did you guess who the mole is? If not, stay tuned (we already know but we aren't telling). I believe that critter will likely show up again. Maybe next time our little mole will bring the Congresswoman with her.
Oh yes...to the Bean campaign folks who have been busy reading our blog instead of working - email us when the Congresswoman wants to talk. We gave you cards with the contact info. Have your people call our people as it were.
In the mean time, we will be seeing you around. We will be the ones holding the signs and maybe a pair of empty boots. The Congresswoman seems to think she is able to carry sll 2,631 pairs. We find that burden too great.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Sunday, August 27, 2006
A House Call on Rep Bean, (D) IL 8th
On Sunday August 27, MFSO-Chicago paid a House Call on Congresswoman Melissa Bean at a local political event called BlueFest, Rally for Democracy.
Operation House Call began on June 22nd in Washington, DC in response to the “limited debate” allowed by the Republican Majority on the merits of the ongoing occupation of Iraq and the House Resolution that was passed following that “debate.” Bean failed to support a Democratic sponsored resolution calling for an open debate on the issue of Iraq – something that has not occurred since 2003. Bean also voted in favor of House Resolution 861 which among other things identified Iraq as a “central front on the war on terror”, called it a “noble cause”, and supported the Bush Administration’s “stay the course” pseudo-policy. Bean’s record on Iraq made a House Call necessary.
According to the Waukegan News Sun, Bean along with Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky was scheduled to “headline” the event. Congresswoman Schakowsky intended to introduce Bean and both intended to address the crowd. The same article published the fact that MFSO-Chicago planned to attend the event in protest of Congresswoman Bean’s record on Iraq.
Supported by peace activists from the Lake County community, three 8th District MFSO members decided to attend BlueFest and deliver flowers to Congresswoman Bean – one for every Illinois Service Member who has died in Iraq since she took office in 2005. In response to inquiries from peace people all over the district, Bean carefully points out that she was not in Congress when the decision to invade Iraq was made. I believe we already knew that.
We set up in a community park with signs, a pair of boots, several dozen flowers and our best smiles early Sunday morning. Good thing we got there early. Alerted by a reporter, the Bean campaign knew we would be there. The reporter from the paper expressed doubt that she would come. He told me that her campaign “freaked out” when they were called for comment on the MFSO press release. She did come, 15 minutes ahead of the start of Bluefest and 45 minutes ahead of Operation House Call to “make an appearance.” Since I am my own “staff”…and had forgotten something, I briefly left and came back to find her…arms full of flowers preparing to leave the event at about 11:45 just minutes into her scheduled event. Her aide kept tapping his watch telling us she “had somewhere else to be” and we assumed that she would return to speak. She did not. Congresswoman Schakowsky spoke. Several local Democratic candidates spoke. Bean was a no-show on the speaking engagement. We can only surmise that the 8 of us with our signs, boots, and smiles were too scary for her.
This response is typical of Congresswoman Bean. When she is asked to be accountable for her voting record by the people who it most profoundly impacts - she is all about “cut and run.” That point was very evident to her supporters, her constituents and the military families in attendance.
Throughout our time there, various people stopped by from Bluefest, including Congresswoman Schakowsky. Most were quite nice although they were pretty adamant about the need to “vote Democratic” in the upcoming election. A few were a bit upset because we were “showing the split” among the Democrats and even if Bean was a “weak” Democrat we needed to “hold our nose” and cast a vote to get the Democrats in the majority. That was funny since I am not a Democrat…or Republican for that matter. I am an Independent who takes a look at issues when casting a vote or supporting a candidate. But in a spirit of peace and harmony, we were able to co-exist with the “Party” people while making our point: Supporting the Troops is much more than a yellow bumper sticker: True support for the troops is to Bring Them Home Now and Take Care of Them When They Get Here. And that is a scary message, indeed.
Operation House Call began on June 22nd in Washington, DC in response to the “limited debate” allowed by the Republican Majority on the merits of the ongoing occupation of Iraq and the House Resolution that was passed following that “debate.” Bean failed to support a Democratic sponsored resolution calling for an open debate on the issue of Iraq – something that has not occurred since 2003. Bean also voted in favor of House Resolution 861 which among other things identified Iraq as a “central front on the war on terror”, called it a “noble cause”, and supported the Bush Administration’s “stay the course” pseudo-policy. Bean’s record on Iraq made a House Call necessary.
According to the Waukegan News Sun, Bean along with Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky was scheduled to “headline” the event. Congresswoman Schakowsky intended to introduce Bean and both intended to address the crowd. The same article published the fact that MFSO-Chicago planned to attend the event in protest of Congresswoman Bean’s record on Iraq.
Supported by peace activists from the Lake County community, three 8th District MFSO members decided to attend BlueFest and deliver flowers to Congresswoman Bean – one for every Illinois Service Member who has died in Iraq since she took office in 2005. In response to inquiries from peace people all over the district, Bean carefully points out that she was not in Congress when the decision to invade Iraq was made. I believe we already knew that.
We set up in a community park with signs, a pair of boots, several dozen flowers and our best smiles early Sunday morning. Good thing we got there early. Alerted by a reporter, the Bean campaign knew we would be there. The reporter from the paper expressed doubt that she would come. He told me that her campaign “freaked out” when they were called for comment on the MFSO press release. She did come, 15 minutes ahead of the start of Bluefest and 45 minutes ahead of Operation House Call to “make an appearance.” Since I am my own “staff”…and had forgotten something, I briefly left and came back to find her…arms full of flowers preparing to leave the event at about 11:45 just minutes into her scheduled event. Her aide kept tapping his watch telling us she “had somewhere else to be” and we assumed that she would return to speak. She did not. Congresswoman Schakowsky spoke. Several local Democratic candidates spoke. Bean was a no-show on the speaking engagement. We can only surmise that the 8 of us with our signs, boots, and smiles were too scary for her.
This response is typical of Congresswoman Bean. When she is asked to be accountable for her voting record by the people who it most profoundly impacts - she is all about “cut and run.” That point was very evident to her supporters, her constituents and the military families in attendance.
Throughout our time there, various people stopped by from Bluefest, including Congresswoman Schakowsky. Most were quite nice although they were pretty adamant about the need to “vote Democratic” in the upcoming election. A few were a bit upset because we were “showing the split” among the Democrats and even if Bean was a “weak” Democrat we needed to “hold our nose” and cast a vote to get the Democrats in the majority. That was funny since I am not a Democrat…or Republican for that matter. I am an Independent who takes a look at issues when casting a vote or supporting a candidate. But in a spirit of peace and harmony, we were able to co-exist with the “Party” people while making our point: Supporting the Troops is much more than a yellow bumper sticker: True support for the troops is to Bring Them Home Now and Take Care of Them When They Get Here. And that is a scary message, indeed.
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Illinois 8th District House Call
Military Families to Deliver Flowers to Representative Melissa Bean to Highlight the Loss of Illinois Soldiers Killed in Iraq
Chicago Chapter of Military Families Speak Out kicks off "Operation House Call" in Mundelein, IL, Sunday, August 27 from 12 p.m. - 2 p.m.
MUNDELEIN, IL - As Congress prepares to end their summer recess in their home districts, Chicago area Military Families will make a “house call” to Congresswoman Melissa Bean. In June of 2006 Melissa Bean failed to support a resolution for an open debate on the floor of the House regarding Iraq. Following the “debate” and contrary to the will of the majority of voters across the United States, Congresswoman Bean voted with the Republican Majority to “stay the course”. That course has lead to the deaths of over 2,600 US Servicemen and women and countless Iraqi civilians.
WHAT: Military Families will gather during the appearance of Congresswoman Melissa Bean at the BlueFest event. (www.bluefest.org). Military Families Speak Out - Chicago will deliver flowers to Congresswoman Melissa Bean, to highlight the human cost of the Iraq war – she will be presented with one flower for each service person from IL who has died since she took office in January 2005. The name of each of those soldiers will also be read.
WHEN: Sunday August 27 from 12 p.m. - 2 p.m.
WHERE: Mundelein’ Diamond Lake Slough Park (on Route 60/83) approximately ½ mile west of the intersection of Diamond Lake Road and Route 60/83, Mundelein. The entrance to the park is just east of the Irish Mill Tavern on the south side of 60/83.
WHO: Members of Military Families Speak Out (MFSO)-Chicago, along with Veterans and other local Peace Activists.
Congresswoman Bean has consistently refused to meet with members of MFSO stating that in her district, people are not opposed to the ongoing occupation of Iraq. A small group of constituents delivered a petition with some 500 signatures in December calling for an end to the occupation in Iraq. In June and July, voters in the 8th District assisted MFSO in Operation House Call by mailing post cards asking her to take action to Bring Our Troops Home, Now and Take Care of Them When They Get Here.
Marge Haracz, a long time member of MFSO, is the mother of a soldier currently serving in Afghanistan. In July of 2006, her son’s unit sustained approximately 10% casualties including two fatalities as the result of ambush. On July 31, her son’s unit was notified that they would be extended for an undefined period of time despite the fact that NATO took over operations in much of the south of Afghanistan. His unit is scheduled to deploy to Iraq in the summer of 2007. Several other units in Iraq and Afghanistan including the 172nd Stryker Division were extended beyond their duty periods due to increasing violence in both countries.
Operation House Call opened on June 22nd in Washington, D.C., with a daily vigil that included a growing number of combat boots representing U.S. troop deaths, and shoes representing the deaths of Iraqi children, women and men - all who have died since June 15th when Congress voted to "stay the course" in Iraq, and the 2,500th U.S. troop death occurred. On June 22, the display reflected 11 pairs of combat boots and shoes representing the deaths of 141 Iraqis. As of August 1st, the display has grown to include 78 pairs of combat boots and shoes representing the deaths of 1,594 Iraqi children, women and men.
The second phase of Operation House Call follows members of Congress and Senators to their home states, as MFSO's 26 local chapters and over 3,000 military families prepare to meet their Senators and Members of Congress and demand an answer to the question: "Whose names are you willing to add to the growing list of casualties?"
For further information, go to: www.operationhousecall.org and www.mfso.org
Chicago Chapter of Military Families Speak Out kicks off "Operation House Call" in Mundelein, IL, Sunday, August 27 from 12 p.m. - 2 p.m.
MUNDELEIN, IL - As Congress prepares to end their summer recess in their home districts, Chicago area Military Families will make a “house call” to Congresswoman Melissa Bean. In June of 2006 Melissa Bean failed to support a resolution for an open debate on the floor of the House regarding Iraq. Following the “debate” and contrary to the will of the majority of voters across the United States, Congresswoman Bean voted with the Republican Majority to “stay the course”. That course has lead to the deaths of over 2,600 US Servicemen and women and countless Iraqi civilians.
WHAT: Military Families will gather during the appearance of Congresswoman Melissa Bean at the BlueFest event. (www.bluefest.org). Military Families Speak Out - Chicago will deliver flowers to Congresswoman Melissa Bean, to highlight the human cost of the Iraq war – she will be presented with one flower for each service person from IL who has died since she took office in January 2005. The name of each of those soldiers will also be read.
WHEN: Sunday August 27 from 12 p.m. - 2 p.m.
WHERE: Mundelein’ Diamond Lake Slough Park (on Route 60/83) approximately ½ mile west of the intersection of Diamond Lake Road and Route 60/83, Mundelein. The entrance to the park is just east of the Irish Mill Tavern on the south side of 60/83.
WHO: Members of Military Families Speak Out (MFSO)-Chicago, along with Veterans and other local Peace Activists.
Congresswoman Bean has consistently refused to meet with members of MFSO stating that in her district, people are not opposed to the ongoing occupation of Iraq. A small group of constituents delivered a petition with some 500 signatures in December calling for an end to the occupation in Iraq. In June and July, voters in the 8th District assisted MFSO in Operation House Call by mailing post cards asking her to take action to Bring Our Troops Home, Now and Take Care of Them When They Get Here.
Marge Haracz, a long time member of MFSO, is the mother of a soldier currently serving in Afghanistan. In July of 2006, her son’s unit sustained approximately 10% casualties including two fatalities as the result of ambush. On July 31, her son’s unit was notified that they would be extended for an undefined period of time despite the fact that NATO took over operations in much of the south of Afghanistan. His unit is scheduled to deploy to Iraq in the summer of 2007. Several other units in Iraq and Afghanistan including the 172nd Stryker Division were extended beyond their duty periods due to increasing violence in both countries.
Operation House Call opened on June 22nd in Washington, D.C., with a daily vigil that included a growing number of combat boots representing U.S. troop deaths, and shoes representing the deaths of Iraqi children, women and men - all who have died since June 15th when Congress voted to "stay the course" in Iraq, and the 2,500th U.S. troop death occurred. On June 22, the display reflected 11 pairs of combat boots and shoes representing the deaths of 141 Iraqis. As of August 1st, the display has grown to include 78 pairs of combat boots and shoes representing the deaths of 1,594 Iraqi children, women and men.
The second phase of Operation House Call follows members of Congress and Senators to their home states, as MFSO's 26 local chapters and over 3,000 military families prepare to meet their Senators and Members of Congress and demand an answer to the question: "Whose names are you willing to add to the growing list of casualties?"
For further information, go to: www.operationhousecall.org and www.mfso.org
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